Rangers’ Kreider finishes third in fastest skater but scores beauty on breakaway

Anthony Scultore Updated: Feb 5, 2022

chris kreider fastest skater — Feb 4, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Metropolitan Division forward Chris Kreider (20) of the New York Rangers competes in the fastest skater event during the 2022 NHL All-Star Game Skills Competition at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers and League leading goal scorer once again finished third in the Fastest Skater at the NHL’s All-Star Skills Competition.

Back in 2020, Kreider posted a 13.509 behind Connor McDavid (13.215) and winner, Mathew Barzal (13.175). Unfortunately, had he posted that this year he would’ve won.

“I think everyone’s happy to get through it in one piece,” Kreider said. “It was a lot of fun.”

NHL Skills Competition: Fastest Skater

Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues held off three-time champion Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers to win the fastest skater competition at the NHL All-Star Skills Competition on Friday in Las Vegas.

Kyrou circled the rink in 13.550 seconds to edge Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings (13.585).

“You want to try and give it your all, so I just went out there and just moved my feet as quick as I could,” said Kyrou, who was selected to the All-Star Game for the first time after leading the Blues in goals (17) and points (42) through 40 games.

Chris Kreider scores beauty in Save Streak

Atlantic Division rivals Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Jack Campbell of the Toronto Maple Leafs teamed up to win the Save Streak competition, defeating goalie pairings from the Metropolitan, Central and Pacific Divisions. The event was changed to a team competition for the goalies this year after being an individual event from 2018-20.

Vasilevskiy and Campbell combined to save nine consecutive shots in the first round of the shootout-style format, and that streak held up through the next three rounds.

“Vassy gave me some great advice, and then when we got out there he showed me how to do it,” Campbell said of the 2018-19 Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL’s best goalie. “I appreciated his teamwork.”

Saves aside, NHL leading goal scorer Chris Kreider scored a beauty on Vasilevskiy with a move that looked similar to the goalie’s Tampa teammate, Nikita Kucherov.

“It’s something we mess around with a little bit after practice,” Kreider said of the move. “I figured I’d give it a try– have a little fun, try an be creative.”

Kreider, 30, is tops in the league with 33 goals this season, including 17 on the power play.

NHL All-Star Skills Competition Winners

Victor Hedman of Tampa Bay won the hardest shot competition. The NHL’s scoring leader among defensemen this season was clocked at 103.2 mph on his second slap shot, surpassing defenseman Adam Pelech of the New York Islanders (102.2 mph).

Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets hit his final-round targets in 25.634 seconds to defeat fellow defenseman Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators and win the Fountain Face-off, which was held on a floating platform in the middle of the fountain at the Bellagio Hotel.

Carolina Hurricanes forward Sebastian Aho won the Accuracy Shooting event by going a perfect 4 for 4.

Alex Pietrangelo of the hometown Vegas Golden Knights, won the prop-filled breakaway challenge with a score of 64 from the panel of celebrity judges. He did so by coming down with a full marching band.